Description:Cake-shaped or massively incrusting, with an apical depression, which may lead to a cup-shape. Oscules conspicuous, apical or inside the apical depression (N. nolitangere-close up). Surface smooth or shaggy, areolate. Size up to about 30 cm high and 30 cm wide. Consistency: corky to compressible, fragile, crumbly.

Color:Brownish to dark red.

Habitat:Occurring in the reef environment, but often in areas with some disturbance; occasionally also a member of the fouling community.

Distribution:Abundant to occasional Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean.

Remarks:Contact with bare skin can result in a severe allergic reaction, including pain, numbness, swelling and rash that may last several days.The species has been observed to "smoke". Such massive sperm releases suggest an oviparous reproduction.